MADRID, Jan 23: Diego Simeone sprinted toward the stands and celebrated with Atlético Madrid fans, then jogged back to the bench and dropped his hands to his knees, breathing a big sigh of relief.
Atlético had pulled off a dramatic comeback, and just like that a ton of pressure was lifted from Simeone’s shoulders. With a couple of goals two minutes apart in stoppage time, Atlético rallied from a two-goal deficit to end its poor run with a 3-2 win over Valencia in the Spanish league on Saturday.
It was only Atlético’s second win in its last seven league games. The result gives a much-needed boost to the team – and coach – and leaves the defending champions within four points of third-place Real Betis with a game in hand.
Valencia opened a two-goal lead in the first half, but Atlético cut the gap with a goal by Matheus Cunha shortly after the break before Ángel Correa and Mario Hermoso scored two minutes apart early in injury time. Hermoso’s winner came with the player just barely onside after a shot by Cunha.
American midfielder Yunus Musah gave Valencia the early lead in a breakaway in the 20th for his first league goal since 2020. His other two goals this season had come in the Copa del Rey.
Hugo Duro increased Valencia’s lead just before halftime.
Simeone’s team was coming off consecutive losses to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals and to Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Second-place Sevilla missed yet another chance to move close to Madrid after being held by Celta Vigo to a 2-2 draw at home. Sevilla came from behind with two second-half goals to salvage a point, its second consecutive draw after it failed to get past Valencia in the previous round.
The visitors took a 2-0 lead with goals by Cervi in the 37th minute and Iago Aspas in the 40th. Sevilla equalized with Gómez scoring in the 71st and Óliver Torres in the 74th. The hosts came close to the win when Torres’ attempt from close range hit the post in the 81st.
The draw extended Sevilla’s unbeaten streak to eight consecutive league games, with five wins and three draws. Sevilla’s lone league title came in 1945-46.
Cádiz won 2-0 at last-place Levante to end a seven-match winless streak and move closer to escaping the relegation zone. Villarreal beat Mallorca 3-0 at home as it chases a European qualification spot. (AP)
